Driver Accused of Killing Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau Makes First Court Appearance After Brothers' Deaths

Mar. 15, 2025

Matthew Gaudreau and Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Higgins' mugshot.Photo:Richard T Gagnon/Getty; Salem County Sheriff’s Department

Richard T Gagnon/Getty; Salem County Sheriff’s Department

The New Jersey driver suspected of being under the influence of alcohol when striking NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau appeared in court for the first time on Friday, Aug. 30.

Higgins also expressed his desire to hire his own attorney for future proceedings.

Sean Higgins' mugshot from the Salem County Sheriff’s Department.Salem County Sheriff’s Department

Salem County Sheriff’s Department

Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29,died in a biking accidentclose to their hometown on Thursday, Aug. 29, PEOPLE previously confirmed. They were in the area to appear as groomsmen at their sister’s wedding the following day.

They added that Higgins was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee behind a sedan and SUV. They said that he then “attempted to pass the slower-moving sedan and SUV, entered the southbound lanes of travel, passed the slower-moving sedan, and attempted to re-enter the northbound lanes of travel when the SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes to safely pass the two pedal cyclist traveling north on the right side of the roadway.”

“Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the two pedal cyclists in the rear. As a result of the collision, the two pedal cyclists sustained fatal injuries,” the police statement continued.

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau pose for a photo at the TD Garden on February 10, 2014.Richard T Gagnon/Getty

Richard T Gagnon/Getty

The Columbus Blue Jackets, who Johnny signed a seven-year contract with in 2022, called the deaths of Johnny and Matthew an “unimaginable tragedy” in a statement shared on Aug. 30.

source: people.com